Southern California -- this just in

It was a battle of the old school versus the new — a cook-off that
pitted some of the city's veteran vendors of tacos and bacon-wrapped hot
dogs against a new guard of gourmet food trucks known for fashionable
menus and for sharing their locations via Twitter.

But after the last bite was swallowed at the first L.A. Vendy Awards
this weekend, tradition triumphed when judges crowned Nina Garcia the
queen of L.A.'s street food scene.

Garcia, who has served up supple Mexico City-style quesadillas
and pambazos on street corners in Boyle Heights for two decades,
beat out street vendor newcomers like the Grilled Cheese Truck along
with old favorites, like East L.A.'s Tacos el Galuzo.

Hours before she was cheered and handed a shiny golden trophy, Garcia
had quietly predicted her win. "Will it be me?" she asked slyly as she
kneaded masa and pressed it onto a simmering grill. "I think so."

More than a hundred people paid $50 to attend the Vendys and eat their
fill of food from the six street vendors who were chosen as finalists.

The event was held Saturday on the western edge of MacArthur Park, where
families lounged in the sun and vendors not invited to the event hawked
fruit, ice cream and pork rinds.

Smells of the competition — and the sounds of a cumbia band that played
for hours — drew a crowd of curious spectators. A handful of those who
had paid for the event shared free food and drinks over a thin wire
fence to those looking in.